DULUTH, MN (KDAL) - UMD has announced that the search for a Director of Intercollegiate Athletics is now underway.  The new Athletic Director will fill the hole created when Bob Nielson resigned to accept a head football coaching job at Western Illinois University.  Professor Vince Magnuson, former Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration at UMD will serve as chair of the seach committee.  The national search will focus on candidates  that focus on someone with strong leadership skills to foster the continued prominence of UMD athletics and promote new levels of excellence.  After a review of applications, on-campus interviews of the candidates should begin in early April.